This week in Island history

The news of 10 and 15 years ago is from theJamestown Press. The news of 25, 50, 75, and 100 yearsago from the Newport Daily News comes from the collectionof the Newport Historical Society.

100 years agoFrom the Newport Daily News, October 8, 1906:

Steamer Beaver Tail of the Jamestown and Newport Ferry Company was taken off the line last evening, and the service between Jamestown and Saunderstown was discontinued for the winter.

From the Newport Daily News, October 9, 1906:

The strong southeast wind this morning broke off the top of one of the locust trees on Walcott avenue, in front of the Gardner House.

From the Newport Daily News, October 11, 1906:

Politics now holds the attention of the townspeople and affords the principle topic of conversation. As the town is Republican by a large majority, the nominees of the Republican caucus are sure of an election.

75 years agoFrom the Newport Daily News, October 8, 1931:

In order to avoid overtaxing the school bus, the school board, at a special meeting, voted to accommodate the children living two miles from the village with taxi service.

From the Newport Daily News, October 15, 1931:

The local post of the American Legion and Drum Corps covered itself with glory last evening when it presented the comedy of the American rookie, "Corporal Egan," at the Palace Theatre, which was packed to the doors, and the show was pronounced the best ever put on here by a local cast.

50 years agoFrom the Newport Daily News, October 9, 1956:

Prompt action by the state to acquire and operate the Jamestown-Saunderstown Bridge in the same manner as the Mt. Hope Bridge was urged by Dean J. Lewis of Newport, Republican candidate for state senator. . . . Lewis said the outstanding bonds on the Jamestown Bridge are the "callable" type which can be taken over immediately by the state.

The Navy property at Beavertail, which has been open to the public since June 18, will be closed Oct. 28 because the town has insufficient funds to maintain a guard to patrol it during the winter months.

From the Newport Daily news, October 10, 1956:

Adult classes in typing will start within two weeks in the Jamestown School.

25 years agoFrom the Newport Daily News, October 7, 1981:

Town Administrator Robert W. Sutton Jr. reviewed water levels of both town reservoirs for the Town Council. He reported that the water level in the North reservoir was 11 feet below the spillway, Sutton said the level is approximately 10 inches lower than last Nov. 6. On Sept. 29, the water level in the South reservoir was about three feet below the spillway, he said. The water in the South reservoir is poorly colored and a poorer quality than the North reservoir.

From the Newport Daily News, October 8, 1981:

Foot dragging by the (federal) Environmental Protection Agency is costing town taxpayers more money. When the sewage treatment plant was completed in December 1979, a balance of $250,000 was due from the federal share of costs. To date, this money has not been paid by the EPA.

15 years agoFrom the Jamestown Press, October 10, 1991:

The Town Council in an emergency session last Wednesday outlined an alternative plan to the state Department of Transportation's proposed cross-island highway, which it has opposed practically since taking office in May. In a unanimous vote, following just over two hours of debate during which most residents spoke in favor of a two-lane road, the council passed a resolution calling for a four-lane road that would be narrower and have lower speed limits than the 100-foot-wide highway DOT wants to build.

Narrowing the proposed cross-island highway's 30- foot grass median, as town officials would like, could mean delaying construction for at least six to eight months, according to state Department of Transportation Chief of Design Ed Parker.

10 years agoFrom the Jamestown Press, October 10, 1996:

Next week you can hear the soulful sound of bagpipes, see fellow islanders wearing Scottish kilts and witness a traditional Highlands sword dance - and you won't have to journey further than the Community Center. That is where the Jamestown Community Theatre is staging "Brigadoon."

The town may purchase two acres of land currently leased privately by golf-course operator Joseph Mistowski to make up the fourth and seventh tees of the town-owned course. (It was anticipated that the earliest date that a special financial town meeting could be held was Dec. 2.)